Law Students
"Hirschler has the right balance of being “big enough, but not too big.” We have the bench depth and subject matter expertise to handle sophisticated transactions on a national level, but every single lawyer at Hirschler is on a first name basis with every other lawyer—from the newest associate to the president of the firm. With our middle-market focus, my clients are all “real” business owners, private equity managers or CEOs who are making actual decisions based on my advice and counsel. At Hirschler, you won’t just be a cog in the machine." Rod Simmons, Partner and former Summer Associate
The primary goals of our summer program are to provide summer associates with opportunities to understand and engage in our daily practice and to become acquainted with our lawyers, staff and the metropolitan Richmond area. Summer associates typically work in our Richmond office for eight weeks beginning in mid-May, but also have opportunities to work with our Fredericksburg and Tysons teams.
Interested in hearing what our lawyers have to say about their Hirschler summer experience? Meet Emily Scott and Brandt Stitzer.
360º View of Our Summer Program
Summer associates substantively contribute to ongoing projects for existing clients. Our summer associates should expect to undertake projects across all practice areas in the firm. Projects are assigned to summer associates based on their practice areas of interest. We anticipate that summer associates will have the opportunity to:
- Prepare for and attend trials, depositions, arbitrations, mediations, and negotiations;
- Participate in business transactions, real estate closings, zoning hearings, and client meetings; and
- Draft pleadings and a variety transactional documents.
In addition to exposure to Hirschler’s diverse legal practice, summer associates are included in section meetings and other firm events. Our objective is to provide summer associates numerous opportunities to experience both our practice and our culture. Summer associates should complete the program with a realistic appreciation for life as a full-time associate at Hirschler.
Getting To Know Our Team
We host a variety of social activities throughout the program to give our summer associates the opportunity to become acquainted with our attorneys and staff outside the office. These gatherings range from large events – such as baseball games, cooking classes and city experiences – to smaller events at local venues and in attorneys' homes. Many of these activities include spouses or significant others and children.
A Chance To Shine
Because the firm makes a concerted effort to assess its growth within practice groups before the recruiting season begins, the size of our Summer Associate Program varies from year to year. The firm strategically hires the appropriate number of summer associates based on projected need. Thus, we strive to maintain a culture not of competition, but instead, to inspire confidence that quality performance will result in an offer of full-time employment.
What To Expect
Flexibility
Our summer program is designed to provide summer associates the ability to directly influence their experience. For example, a summer associate may have a contract drafting project at the same time they are also assisting with trial preparation. Our hope is that by the end of the program, summer associates will have a better idea of their practice area preferences following graduation.
Mentoring
Each summer associate will have two mentors -- a partner and an associate. Mentors will expose summer associates to their practices, coordinate work assignments that align with the summer associates' interests, and provide a forum to answer questions. After completion of a project, mentors will offer feedback from the assigning attorney(s).
Real Experience
Examples of recent summer projects include:
- Draft a seller non-competition and non-solicitation agreement in connection with the acquisition of a business;
- Determine how a British unincorporated association would be categorized under Virginia law (i.e., as a general or limited partnership);
- Review operating agreements, prepare membership interest transfer agreements, and prepare consents of manager in connection with an equity buyout;
- Research whether the owner of a landlocked parcel has the right to use a state-owned, abandoned road and whether that right can be conveyed;
- Review a deed of trust to determine whether there are provisions regarding promises of cooperation or time constraints on the lender for written consent for use of the land;
- Compose a letter to seller, including reasons for withdrawal from a purchase agreement and remedies sought by client;
- Draft a Complaint on Breach of Contract and Breach of Guaranty;
- Research TILA Rescission standards and draft comprehensive memorandum regarding same; and
- Draft Motion to Dismiss for matter pending in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Hirschler on Campus
Southeastern Law School Consortium
University of Richmond School of Law
William & Mary Law School
University of Virginia School of Law
Washington & Lee University School of Law
Howard University School of Law
George Mason University School of Law
Contact Lauren Deacon, Director of Legal Recruiting and Development, with any questions.
Hiring Team
Hirschler’s Recruiting Committee is responsible for selecting summer associates, overseeing the summer program and, ultimately, making recommendations to the Board of Directors about full-time hiring decisions.
2025 Recruiting Committee
Ambika Biggs, Kimberly Castleman, Andrew Clark, Brian Daly, Lauren Deacon, Brittany Falabella, Lisa Hedrick, Brian Jackson, Andrea Marafatsos, Scott Miller, Janie Rhoads, Evan Reid, Kristin Shields, and Nate Story.
Our Recruiting Committee recruits only the highest caliber students. Hirschler looks for students with diverse backgrounds and experiences who can offer meaningful contributions to the firm’s collaborative approach to providing legal services to sophisticated clients. Successful summer associates will demonstrate their ability to take initiative, think critically and propose creative solutions to client challenges.
FAQs
Where you spend your summer is an important decision, and we want you to be well informed. Here we answer some of the frequently asked questions we receive about our program.
Q: What levels do you recruit for your summer program?
A: We recruit second-year law students for our summer program. The firm is a member of the National Association for Law Placement, Inc. (NALP) and follows its Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process.
Q: Where do you recruit?
A: We interview second-year students who attend law schools throughout Virginia by way of their Virtual OCI programs. We also solicit and review resumes from students attending schools at which we do not participate in Virtual OCI. When evaluating resumes, we consider academic performance, extracurricular activities, leadership involvement, recommendations, and prior experience.
Q: How many of your summer associates are offered regular associate positions?
A: For the past several years, we have made full-time offers of employment to the majority of our summer associates.
Q: How To Apply
Law student (2L) hiring for Summer 2026 is officially open! Click here to apply.
